The Tampa Bay Rays will pay a visit to SunTrust Park to take on the Atlanta Braves. Fox Sports Sun will be televising this interleague matchup and the game gets underway at 7:35 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Atlanta (-130) as the favorite over Tampa Bay (+120). The total sits at 8.5 runs and gamblers can take the over or the under for -110. The game’s current runline odds sit at -175 for picking the Rays +1.5 runs and +155 for the Braves -1.5.
The Braves are 73-57 straight up (SU) and 67-62 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 18.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.5 units (ATS). Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in all seven of them. The Rays, on the other hand, have gone 70-61 SU this year and are 72-59 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 15.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 15.3 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Atlanta games have a 59-65-5 over/under record in 2018. Rays games have gone under 72 times, gone over 55 times and pushed on four occasions.
Ryne Stanek will get the start for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Stanek is 2-3 with a 2.53 ERA and 65 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Atlanta this year.
The Braves will turn to righty Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.09 ERA), who’s got 129 strikeouts and 66 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.18. Teheran is 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this year.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.68 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.32 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.66, along with a WHIP of 1.18.
Rays hitters have slashed .256/.331/.395 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Tampa Bay’s offensive production has been fueled by third baseman Matt Duffy and left fielder Mallex Smith. Duffy is slashing .300/.357/.375 with four home runs, 35 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Smith has a .307 average with two homers, 31 RBIs, 50 runs and 27 stolen bases.
For the home team, Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
The Atlanta offense has produced 4.7 runs per contest, including 2.9 per game over its last 10 games and 2.4 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .218/.306/.352 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman have led the Braves’ batters this year. Markakis is hitting .312/.376/.477 with 14 home runs, 81 RBIs and 70 runs scored, while Freeman’s line is .313/.397/.515 with 20 homers, 78 RBIs and 80 runs.
The Rays have gained 7.8 units and are 50-43 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 43 of those games, compared to 48 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 21.1 units and are 51-40 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 40 of those games, as opposed to 47 which went under the total.
Tampa Bay Rays at Atlanta Braves MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The over has cashed in three of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
Atlanta has posted 18.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 16.8 over its last five.
The Rays have hit six home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit seven over their last 10.
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